Telescope Rankings

Rank	Telescope	Rating
Rank 3	Celestron Firstscope 76 Tabletop Dobsonian	3.4
Rank 4	Celestron FirstScope Signature Series Tabletop Dobsonian	3.4
Rank 5	Royal Observatory Greenwich Firstscope 76 Tabletop Dobsonian	3.4
Rank 6	Meade Infinity 60 Refractor	3.3
Rank 7	Bresser Messier AR-70 Refractor	3.2
Rank 8	National Geographic 76 AZ Reflector	3
Rank 9	Skywatcher Infinity 76P Mini Dobsonian	2.9
Rank 10	Skywatcher Mercury 607 Refractor	2.9
Rank 11	Omegon 60mm AZ1 Refractor	2.8
Rank 12	National Geographic 76 Reflector with Sun filter and smartphone adapter	2.5
Rank 13	Bresser Solarix 76/350 Telescope + Solar Filter	2.5
Rank 14	Celestron Travel Scope 80mm Refractor	2.5
Rank 15	National Geographic 60 Refractor	2.5
Rank 16	National Geographic 70 Refractor	2.5
Rank 17	National Geographic Smart AR Children's Refractor	2.4
Rank 18	Celestron PowerSeeker 70AZ Refractor	2.2
Rank 19	Celestron PS70/700 Refractor	2
Rank 20	Celestron TravelScope 70 Refractor	1.9
Rank 21	Celestron PowerSeeker 60AZ Refractor Telescope	1.9

Rank	Telescope	Rating
Rank 3	Ursa Major 102mm Tabletop Dobsonian Telescope	3.7
Rank 4	National Geographic 114 Tabletop Dobsonian	3.6
Rank 5	Bresser Classic 60 EQ Refractor	3.6

Rank	Telescope	Rating
Rank 6	Ursa Major 80mm Tabletop Dobsonian Telescope	3.4
Rank 7	Bresser Solarix AZ Telescope 114/500	3.3
Rank 8	Skywatcher Mercury 707 Refractor	3.1
Rank 9	National Geographic 76 Tabletop Dobsonian	3
Rank 10	Celestron Inspire 70AZ Refractor Telescope	3
Rank 11	Bresser Sirius 70MM AZ Refractor Telescope	3
Rank 12	Vixen Space Eye 70/700M Telescope	3
Rank 13	Celestron PowerSeeker 70EQ Refractor Telescope	3
Rank 14	Skywatcher Mercury 705 Refractor	3
Rank 15	Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ Refractor Telescope	3
Rank 16	Bresser Classic 70 Refractor	3
Rank 17	Celestron Astromaster 70EQ Telescope	2.9
Rank 18	Skywatcher Astrolux 76MM Telescope	2.9
Rank 19	Celestron PowerSeeker 80AZS Telescope	2.6
Rank 20	Skywatcher Capricorn 70 EQ1 Telescope	2.5
Rank 21	Bresser Night Explorer 80	2.5
Rank 22	Celestron LT 70AZ Starsense Explorer Telescope	2.5
Rank 23	Bresser Skylux Telescope 70/700 mm	2.5
Rank 24	Celestron Powerseeker 114EQ	2.3
Rank 25	Celestron Astromaster LT 76AZ Telescope	2
Rank 26	Celestron Astromaster 70AZ Telescope	2
Rank 27	Celestron Astromaster LT 70AZ Telescope	2
Rank 28	Celestron PowerSeeker 76AZ Newtonian Telescope	2
Rank 29	Meade Polaris 127mm German Equatorial Reflector Telescope	2
Rank 30	Celestron Travel Scope 70 DX Portable Telescope	1.9
Rank 31	Celestron AstroMaster LT 60 AZ Refractor	1.7

Rank	Telescope	Rating
Rank 8	Skywatcher Evostar 90 f/660 AZ Pronto Telescope	3.6
Rank 9	Bresser Messier MC-90/1250 EQ3	3.6
Rank 10	Skywatcher Explorer 130 EQ2 /130M	3.6
Rank 11	Bresser Messier AR-90 AZ NANO	3.6

Rank	Telescope	Rating
Rank 12	Bresser Messier AR-80	3.5
Rank 13	Skywatcher Startravel 80 EQ1	3.5
Rank 14	Skywatcher Startravel 80 AZ3	3.5
Rank 15	SarBlue Mak60 Tripod	3.5
Rank 16	Celestron Astro Fi 90MM Refractor Telescope	3.4
Rank 17	Celestron Inspire 80AZ Refractor Telescope	3.4
Rank 18	Celestron Inspire 100AZ Refractor Telescope	3.4
Rank 19	National Geographic 76 EQ Reflector	3.4
Rank 20	Skywatcher Explorer 130 Telescope	3.4
Rank 21	Celestron Inspire 90AZS Refractor Telescope	3.4
Rank 22	Celestron Astromaster 80EQ-MD with Phone Adapter and Motor Drive	3.4
Rank 23	SarBlue Mak60 Tabletop Tripod	3.4
Rank 24	Celestron Astromaster 76EQ Reflector Telescope	3.3
Rank 25	Skywatcher Evostar 90 EQ2 Telescope	3.2
Rank 26	National Geographic 90 EQ3 Refractor	3
Rank 27	Skywatcher Evostar 90 AZ3 Telescope	3
Rank 28	National Geographic 130 Newtonian	3
Rank 29	Skywatcher StarQuest 130P	3
Rank 30	Bresser Spica 130 EQ	3
Rank 31	Celestron Astromaster 90EQ Refractor Telescope	2.9
Rank 32	National Geographic 114 AZ	2.8
Rank 33	Skywatcher Newton 114 EQ1	2.8
Rank 34	National Geographic 70 AZ Refractor	2.8
Rank 35	Celestron LT 80AZ Starsense Explorer Telescope	2.7
Rank 36	Celestron Astromaster 80AZ Short Refractor Telescope	2.6
Rank 37	Celestron Astromaster 114EQ With Motor and Phone Adapter	2.5
Rank 38	Celestron AstroMaster 90AZ Refractor Telescope	2.5
Rank 39	Celestron PowerSeeker 127AZ Telescope with Phone Adapter & Moon Filter	2
Rank 40	Celestron Lt 114AZ Starsense Explorer Telescope	2
Rank 41	Skywatcher Skyhawk 114 Catadioptric Newtonian	2
Rank 42	Celestron Ambassador Executive 50mm Tabletop Telescope	1
Rank 43	Celestron Powerseeker 127EQ Telescope With Phone Adapter And Ra Motor	1

Rank	Telescope	Rating
Rank 10	Skywatcher SkyMax 102 Avant AZ EQ	3.7
Rank 11	Skywatcher Explorer 130P Telescope	3.6
Rank 12	Bresser Pluto 114 EQ	3.6
Rank 13	Skywatcher StarQuest 102MC	3.6
Rank 14	Bresser Polaris 102/460 EQ3	3.5
Rank 15	Skywatcher StarQuest 102R	3.5
Rank 16	Celestron Astromaster 90EQ Maksutov Telescope	3.5

Rank	Telescope	Rating
Rank 17	Bresser Space Explorer 90/900 EQ3 Refractor Telecsope	3.2
Rank 18	Skywatcher Startravel 102 EQ1	3.2
Rank 19	Bresser Telescope Spica 130/1000 EQ3 - Refelector	3.2
Rank 20	Bresser Taurus 90ng Telescope Carbon Texture With Solar Filter	3
Rank 21	Bresse Quasar 80/900 EQ	3
Rank 22	Bresser Spica 130/650 Eq3 Telescope Carbon Texture	3
Rank 23	Celestron Astromaster 102AZ Refractor Telescope	2.8
Rank 24	Bresser Automatik 80/400 GoTo	2.8
Rank 25	Skywatcher Startravel 102 AZ3	2.5
Rank 26	Celestron LT 127AZ Starsense Explorer Telescope	2.5
Rank 27	National Geographic 70 Refractor GoTo	2.5
Rank 28	Celestron Astromaster 130EQ	2.4
Rank 29	Celestron Astromaster 130 EQ MD Telescope	2.4
Rank 30	Celestron ExploraScope 114AZ Reflector Telescope	2

Rank	Telescope	Rating
Rank 9	Skywatcher Explorer 130PS AZ GTi	3.9
Rank 10	Celestron Starsense Explorer Dx 102az Telescope	3.8
Rank 11	SarBlue Mak70	3.8
Rank 12	Skywatcher Skymax 102 EQ2	3.7
Rank 13	Bresser Messier MC-100/1400 EQ3	3.6
Rank 14	Skywatcher Explorer 130P AZ-GO2 WiFi Reflector Telescope	3.6
Rank 15	Skywatcher SkyMax 102 SynScan AZ	3.6

Rank	Telescope	Rating
Rank 16	Sky-Watcher StarTravel 102 AZ-Go2 WiFi Refractor Telescope	3.5
Rank 17	Skywatcher Evostar 90 EQ3-2 Telescope	3.5
Rank 18	Skywatcher Star Discovery 90i	3.5
Rank 19	Sky-Watcher SkyHawk 1145P AZ-Go2 WiFi Parabolic Newtonian Telescope	3.4
Rank 20	Skywatcher Explorer 130P SynScan AZ GoTo Telescope	3.4
Rank 21	Bresser Pollux 150/750 EQ3	3.3
Rank 22	Skywatcher Startravel 102 AZ-GTe	3.3
Rank 23	Skywatcher Startravel 102 AZ5	3.3
Rank 24	Skywatcher Mercury 707 AZ-GTi Refractor	3.2
Rank 25	Explore Scientific FL-AR1021000EQ3 Refractor Telescope with Exos Nano, 102mm, White	3.1
Rank 26	Vixen Mobile Porta-l70LF Telescope Package	3
Rank 27	National Geographic 90mm GoTo Automatic	3
Rank 28	Skywatcher Startravel 120 AZ3	3
Rank 29	Bresser First Light AR-102 EQ3	3
Rank 30	Bresser Refractor Telescope AR-102/600 EQ-3	3
Rank 31	Celestron Astromaster 127EQ Maksutov Telescope	2.2
Rank 32	Celestron 114 LCM Newtonian GOTO Telescope	2
Rank 33	Bresser Pollux 150/1400 EQ3	1

Rank	Telescope	Rating
Rank 5	Skywatcher Star Discovery 150i	3.9
Rank 6	Celestron Starsense Explorer DX 5 Inch Sct Telescope	3.9
Rank 7	Celestron Astro Fi 5 Inch Sct Telescope	3.9
Rank 8	Skywatcher Explorer 150P EQ3-2 Telescope	3.8
Rank 9	Skywatcher Skymax 127 AZ-GO2	3.8
Rank 11	Celestron Astro Fi 102mm Maksutov Cassegrain Telescope	3.7
Rank 12	Skywatcher Skymax 127 SynScan AZ	3.7
Rank 13	Skywatcher Skymax 102 AZ-GTi	3.7
Rank 14	Skywatcher SkyMax 127 AZ5	3.7
Rank 15	Skywatcher Explorer 150P-DS EQ3-2 Telescope	3.7
Rank 16	Celestron Nexstar 102 SLT Maksutov Telescope	3.7
Rank 17	Bresser Messier NT-150S/750 EXOS-1	3.5
Rank 18	Skywatcher Skymax 127 EQ3-2	3.7
Rank 19	Bresser Messier AR-102 EXOS-1	3.5

Rank	Telescope	Rating
Rank 20	Vixen A80MF Porta II Telescope	3.5
Rank 21	Celestron Nexstar 4SE Telescope	3.4
Rank 22	Bresser Messier MC-100/1400 EXOS-1	3.4
Rank 23	Skywatcher Evostar 102 EQ3-2 Telescope	3.4
Rank 24	Bresser Messier AR-102S EXOS-1	3.4
Rank 25	Skywatcher Startravel 120 EQ3-2	3.4
Rank 26	Celestron Nexstar 130 SLT Telescope	3.3
Rank 27	Skywatcher Evostar 120 EQ3-2 Telescope	3.3
Rank 28	Skywatcher Explorer 150PL EQ3-2 Telescope	3.2
Rank 29	Bresser Messier AR-102L EXOS-1	3.2
Rank 30	Celestron Nexstar 90 SLT Telescope	3.2
Rank 31	Bresser Messier NT-150S/1200 EXOS-1	3
Rank 32	Bresser Messier NT-130/1000 EXOS-1	3
Rank 33	Celestron Nexstar 102 SLT Telescope	2.7
Rank 34	Celestron Ambassador Executive 50mm Brass Telescope	1

Rank	Telescope	Rating
Rank 10	Skywatcher Explorer 150P EQ3 Pro Telescope	3.9
Rank 11	Skywatcher Explorer 130P-DS EQ3 Pro GOTO Telescope	3.9
Rank 12	Skywatcher Explorer 200PDS EQ5 Telescope	3.9
Rank 13	Skywatcher Explorer 150P-DS EQ3 Pro Telescope	3.9
Rank 14	Skywatcher Explorer 200P EQ5 Telescope	3.8
Rank 15	Bresser Messier NT-203 EXOS-2	3.8
Rank 16	Takahashi Starbase 80	3.8
Rank 17	Skywatcher Skymax 127 EQ3 Pro GOTO	3.7

Rank	Telescope	Rating
Rank 18	Celestron Nexstar 6 SLT Telescope	3.7
Rank 19	Celestron Nexstar 127 SLT Telescope	3.7
Rank 20	Celestron Nexstar 5 SLT Telescope	3.6
Rank 21	Skywatcher Explorer 150PL EQ3 Pro GOTO Telescope	3.5
Rank 22	Bresser Messier NT-150L/1200 Hexafoc EXOS-2	3.5
Rank 23	Bresser Messier MC-127/1900 EXOS-1	3.5
Rank 24	Bresser Messier NT-150L/1200 EXOS-1	3.5
Rank 25	Bresser Messier MC-127/1900 EXOS-2	3.5
Rank 26	Bresser Messier AR-127L EXOS-2	3.5
Rank 27	Bresser Messier MC-100/1400 EXOS-2	3.5
Rank 28	Skywatcher Evostar 120 EQ5 Telescope	3.5
Rank 29	Bresser Messier AR-127S EXOS-1	3.5
Rank 30	Bresser Messier MCX-102 GoTo	3.2
Rank 31	Celestron Ambassador 80az Brass Telescope	1

Rank	Telescope	Rating
Rank 9	Bresser Messier MC-152 Hexafoc EXOS-2	3.9
Rank 10	Skywatcher Explorer 200PDS EQ5 PRO Telescope	3.9
Rank 11	Skywatcher Explorer 200P EQ5 Pro GOTO Telescope	3.8
Rank 12	Bresser Messier NT-150/750 Hexafoc EXOS-2 GoTo	3.8
Rank 13	Bresser Messier NT-203 EXOS-2 GoTo	3.8
Rank 14	Celestron Nexstar 5SE Telescope	3.7

Rank	Telescope	Rating
Rank 18	Celestron Nexstar 6 SLT Telescope	3.7
Rank 19	Celestron Nexstar 127 SLT Telescope	3.7
Rank 20	Celestron Nexstar 5 SLT Telescope	3.6
Rank 21	Skywatcher Explorer 150PL EQ3 Pro GOTO Telescope	3.5
Rank 22	Bresser Messier NT-150L/1200 Hexafoc EXOS-2	3.5
Rank 23	Bresser Messier MC-127/1900 EXOS-1	3.5
Rank 24	Bresser Messier NT-150L/1200 EXOS-1	3.5
Rank 25	Bresser Messier MC-127/1900 EXOS-2	3.5
Rank 26	Bresser Messier AR-127L EXOS-2	3.5
Rank 27	Bresser Messier MC-100/1400 EXOS-2	3.5
Rank 28	Skywatcher Evostar 120 EQ5 Telescope	3.5
Rank 29	Bresser Messier AR-127S EXOS-1	3.5
Rank 30	Bresser Messier MCX-102 GoTo	3.2
Rank 31	Celestron Ambassador 80az Brass Telescope	1

£1200 – £2000 Range

StellaLyra 16″ f/4.5 Dobsonian

Recommended

Rank 1

4.8_^/5

The StellaLyra 16″ f/4.5 Dobsonian, made by GSO, is considerably more compact and affordable than most other telescopes of this size. It features the same bearings, accessories, focuser, and base design as the smaller StellaLyra Dobsonians but its tube is an easy-to-assemble 6-pole truss. This telescope is a monster, but it’s still easier to move around than the Sky-Watcher FlexTube scopes and at a price that can’t be beat.

–

Skywatcher Skyliner 350P FlexTube

Recommended

Rank 2

4.7_^/5

The Sky-Watcher Skyliner 350P FlexTube is significantly more compact than a solid-tubed instrument of this size without the complexity of a full truss tube – though it’s still quite heavy and bulky. The 14″ (350mm) primary mirror gather splenty of light for fantastic views of deep-sky objects.

Buy From Astroshop

Skywatcher Skyliner 300P FlexTube GoTo

Recommended

Rank 3

4.3_^/5

The Sky-Watcher Skyline 300P FlexTube GoTo adds motorized tracking and pointing to the already-excellent 300P FlexTube, though it’s a bit heavier and bulkier thanks to the electronics.

Buy From Astroshop

Skywatcher Skyliner 250P FlexTube GoTo

Recommended

Rank 4

4.2_^/5

The Sky-Watcher Skyliner 250P FlexTube GoTo’s main selling point is not the FlexTube configuration but rather its motorized GoTo and tracking, which provides added convenience while not interfering with manual aiming at all thanks to the Sky-Watcher FreedomFind slip clutch and encoder system.

Buy From Astroshop

Skywatcher Explorer 200PDS NEQ6 Pro Telescope

Recommended

Rank 5

4.2_^/5

The Sky-Watcher Explorer 200PDS and NEQ6 Pro combination make for a decent astrophotography-ready setup with the addition of autoguiding, a coma corrector, and a suitable camera. You can also get splended views through the eyepiece of this scope, too, though it’s a bit more awkward than a Dobsonian.

–

Celestron Nexstar Evolution 6

Recommended

Rank 6

4.1_^/5

The Celestron NexStar Evolution 6 is compact and features 150mm (6″) of aperture, motorized GoTo and tracking, as well as features like a built-in WiFi adapter and lithium battery. However, there are cheaper 6″ GoTo telescopes available and many can be upgraded to a WiFi-capable setup fairly easily too, while the 8″ model isn’t much more expensive but has significantly better performance.

–

Skywatcher Skymax 180 Pro EQ5 Pro

Recommended

Rank 7

4.1_^/5

The Sky-Watcher Skymax 180 offers superb planetary views and imaging capabilities when conditions allow and the telescope is properly cooled down to ambient temperature, and the EQ5 Pro is a decent mounting option for this telescope.

Buy From Astroshop

Skywatcher Explorer 200PDS HEQ5 Pro GOTO Telescope

Recommended

Rank 8

4_^/5

Another Sky-Watcher telescope/mount combination intended for imaging, the Explorer 200PDS works acceptably on the HEQ5 Pro provided you use autoguiding and don’t push your exposures too long. For visual use, it’s rather uncomfortable, but it will do the job with comparable views to an 8″ Dobsonian.

–

Skywatcher Skymax 150 Pro HEQ5 Pro

Recommended

Rank 9

4_^/5

The Sky-Watcher Skymax 150 is of course an excellent lunar, planetary, and double star scope, and while GoTo may be a little unnecessary for such a specialized instrument the motorized tracking is nice to have and you can of course use the superb HEQ5 Pro mount for astrophotography with a different telescope.

–

Skywatcher Explorer 250PDS NEQ6 Pro GOTO Telescope

Recommended

Rank 10

4_^/5

The Sky-Watcher Explorere 250PDS is certainly an intimidating scope and a nightmare to use on an equatorial mount for visual use, but works well for imaging purposes – though the NEQ6 Pro is pushing its limits with such a large and heavy optical tube.

Buy From Astroshop

Celestron C6 SCT VX GOTO (Celestron Advanced VX 6″)

Recommended

Rank 11

4_^/5

The Celestron C6 XLT telescope is an excellent instrument for viewing Solar System and bright-deep-sky targets, with some planetary and deep-sky imaging capabilities too. However, there are better mount options than the Advanced VX for either task and deep-sky astrophotographers may want to consider a more optimized telescope for the job.

Check Amazon Price

Rank	Telescope	Rating
Rank 12	Skywatcher Evostar 150 HEQ5 Pro GOTO Telescope	3.9
Rank 13	Skywatcher Skymax 150 Pro EQ5 Pro	3.9
Rank 14	Meade LX85 6" ACF	3.9
Rank 15	Skywatcher Explorer 200P HEQ5 Pro GOTO Telescope	3.8
Rank 16	Celestron Nexstar Evolution 5 Telescope	3.8
Rank 17	Celestron Advanced VX 6 Inch Newtonian Telescope	3.7
Rank 18	Celestron Nexstar 8SE Telescope	3.7

Rank	Telescope	Rating
Rank 19	Celestron C8-N Newtonian VX GOTO	3.5
Rank 20	Bresser Messier AR-152S EXOS-2 GoTo	3.5
Rank 21	Bresser Messier AR-127S EXOS-2 GoTo	3.5
Rank 22	Skywatcher Evostar 150 EQ5 Pro GOTO Telescope	3.5
Rank 23	Skywatcher Evostar 120 HEQ5 Pro GOTO Telescope	3.5
Rank 24	Bresser Messier AR-152L EXOS-2 GoTo	3.5

Above £2000

Skywatcher Skyliner 350P FlexTube GoTo

Recommended

Rank 1

4.8_^/5

The GoTo version of the Sky-Watcher Skyliner 350P FlexTube can still be aimed manually thanks to its FreedomFind encoder system while the addition of GoTo and motorized tracking saves you plenty of time in locating and maintaining your aim at targets. However, it is quite a bit heavier than the manual version of this telescope.

Buy From Astroshop

Skywatcher Skyliner 400P FlexTube GoTo

Recommended

Rank 2

4.5_^/5

The Sky-Watcher Skyliner 400P FlexTube is already a nightmare to move around and the added weight of GoTo electronics doesn’t help things. However, if you can find a way to conveniently store and set up this beast, the views at the eyepiece are extremely rewarding and you of course get all the perks of tracking, GoTo, and still have manual aiming as an option thanks to the FreedomFind encoders.

Buy From Astroshop

Skywatcher Skyliner 400P FlexTube

Recommended

Rank 3

4.4_^/5

The Sky-Watcher Skyliner 400P FlexTube is still quite heavy and bulky even when collapsed and probably rqeuires 2 people to move around. You may also need a ladder to reach the eyepiece when the scope is aimed high in the sky. Despite this, the views at the eyepiece through a big scope such as this are well worth the effort when the 400P is used under fairly dark skies.

Buy From Astroshop

Celestron NexStar Evolution 8

Recommended

Rank 4

4.2_^/5

Check Amazon Price

Celestron Advanced VX 8″ SCT

Recommended

Rank 5

4_^/5

The Celestron C8 XLT is a versatile telescope with plenty of light-gathering power for visual use and it can be used for some astrophotography with a focal reducer or HyperStar. However, the Advanced VX is overkill for visual use and not really up to the task of supporting the C8 for long-exposure astrophotography, even with autoguiding.

–

Rank	Telescope	Rating
Rank 6	Skywatcher Evostar 150 NEQ6 Pro GOTO Telescope	3.9
Rank 7	Skywatcher Evostar 150ED DS-PRO EQ6-R Pro	3.8

Rank	Telescope	Rating
Rank 8	Skywatcher Explorer 300PDS NEQ6 Pro GOTO Telescope	3.6

Ranking Telescopes Price-wise

Under ~£100

£100 - £175 Range

£175 - £250 Range

£250 - £325 Range

£325 - £425 Range

£425 - £550 Range

£550 - £800 Range

£800 - £1200 Range

£1200 – £2000 Range

Above £2000